Hyundai i10In the down times there are inevitably a few winners, and in the UK’s hard-pressed motoring world one of the smiliest manufacturers is Hyundai. The scrappage scheme has certainly been kind to the Korean manufacturer, with buyers queuing up for all the ‘i’s in exchange for their own tired motors. In fact by the end of September 2009 the company had beaten its previous best annual total with three months still to go. In that month of September they sold 11,031 cars, up from 4,970 in September ‘08. It’s the best ever single sales month in Hyundai UK’s history, and it pushed the company’s total sales in the first nine months of 2009 to 40,578 – passing the previous total annual sales record of 37,611 from 2004.Hyundai’s smallest car, the i10, is one of the mainstays of the scrappage culture, for at prices from £7,400 the £2K reduction when buyers trade in their old motor makes it a very attractive proposition. Just a couple of inches shorter than a Ford Ka, the i10 offers seating for five in a hatchback body, and a 1.2 petrol engine with impressive statistics. The new engine, codenamed ‘Kappa’, joined the initial 1.1 offering in 2008 under the bonnets of the higher spec cars, but all four i10 models now get 1.2 power. And since this engine delivers 18% more power and 20% more torque than the 1.1, with identical emission and fuel consumption figures (so it’s a Band B car with just £35 annual VED), there really wouldn’t be any point in their persisting with the 1.1.The 1.2 engine boasts a number of interesting technologies, amongst which is the nifty idea of an offset crankshaft. Traditionally the centreline of the cylinder bore is in vertical alignment with the rotating axis of the crankshaft, but the Kappa’s centreline is offset by a small distance to minimise the side force created by the pistons. The net effect is improved fuel consumption, and a reduction in noise, vibration and harshness. For a small car the interior space is good, with rear seat passengers pretty well served for both leg and head room. Seats are comfortable, and the facia has an air of quality about it that’s a few steps up from the norm at this price level. More to the point, the black-on-white gauges are a model of clarity, as too are the heating/ventilation controls and the radio, which is set conveniently high up on the facia. Boot volume is about what you’d expect; at 225 litres it’s actually 52cm long which will prove enough for the weekend break if not the fortnight’s camping in the Dordogne. It’s loaded over a fairly high sill, but the split rear seat is easy to fold, cushion and all, in the normal hatchback fashion. The only downside to the whole process is that you’re left with a step up from the boot floor onto the folded cushion, so packing the big stuff is harder than it could be with a completely flat load space.Ride quality is typical small hatch, which is to say slightly bouncy, but you’re soon used to it. The 1.2 engine is quiet enough for normal conversation on the motorway, while wind and road noise are also pretty low. Like most small cars, the i10 is easy to drive with light controls and good visibility to front and sides. Unlike many, however, the i10 also boasts a good view to the rear through its helpful low window, so parking is about as easy as it gets.The recent popularity of the i10 is easily explained. Hyundai has a reputation for reliability and the car itself is a model of practicality; for a start it’s got five doors, which is not a universal feature in cars as small as this. And in these times of economic austerity (well, for all except the Fred Goodwins of this world) the price tag looks like exceptional value. The range consists of three models, all powered by the 1.2 engine, with manual transmission and the option of a 4-speed auto (£800) on the middle ‘Comfort’ model. However, the usual warning for small engined autos applies; that commendable 56.5mpg consumption takes a big hit – 15% in fact – with the auto gearbox. Standard equipment on all is generous when you look at the price tag: front and front side airbags, air con, central locking, electric front windows, and a radio/CD player with MP3 and Aux-in connection.Whether or not the scrappage scheme is something you can take advantage of, if a small hatch would answer your motoring needs, the i10 just has to be high on the list.Size: 3.57m x 1.60mEngine: Petrol: 1.2 litres – 77PSGearbox: 5-speed manual FWDConsumption: 56.5mpgPrice at Oct ’09: £7,400 to £8,500Full details of the i10 available on the manufacturer’s website: www.hyundai.co.ukPeter CracknellOct 2009
Hyundai i10
In the down times there are inevitably a few winners, and
in the UK’s hard-pressed motoring world one of the
smiliest manufacturers is Hyundai. The scrappage scheme
has certainly been kind to the Korean manufacturer, with
buyers queuing up for all the ‘i’s in exchange for their own
tired motors. In fact by the end of September 2009 the
company had beaten its previous best annual total with
three months still to go. In that month of September they
sold 11,031 cars, up from 4,970 in September ‘08. It’s the
best ever single sales month in Hyundai UK’s history, and
it pushed the company’s total
sales in the first nine months of
2009 to 40,578 – passing the
previous total annual sales
record of 37,611 from 2004.
Hyundai’s smallest car, the i10,
is one of the mainstays of the
scrappage culture, for at prices
from £7,400 the £2K reduction
when buyers trade in their old
motor makes it a very
attractive proposition. Just a
couple of inches shorter than a
Ford Ka, the i10 offers seating
for five in a hatchback body,
and a 1.2 petrol engine with
impressive statistics. The new
engine, codenamed ‘Kappa’,
joined the initial 1.1 offering in
2008 under the bonnets of the
higher spec cars, but all four
i10 models now get 1.2 power. And since this engine
delivers 18% more power and 20% more torque than the
1.1, with identical emission and fuel consumption figures
(so it’s a Band B car with just £35 annual VED), there
really wouldn’t be any point in their persisting with the 1.1.
The 1.2 engine boasts a number of interesting
technologies, amongst which is the nifty idea of an offset
crankshaft. Traditionally the centreline of the cylinder bore
is in vertical alignment with the rotating axis of the
crankshaft, but the Kappa’s centreline is offset by a small
distance to minimise the side force created by the pistons.
The net effect is improved fuel consumption, and a
reduction in noise, vibration and harshness.
For a small car the interior space is good, with rear seat
passengers pretty well served for both leg and head room.
Seats are comfortable, and the facia has an air of quality
about it that’s a few steps up from the norm at this price
level. More to the point, the black-on-white gauges are a
model of clarity, as too are the heating/ventilation controls
and the radio, which is set conveniently high up on the
facia. Boot volume is about what you’d expect; at 225
litres it’s actually 52cm long which will prove enough for
the weekend break if not the fortnight’s camping in the
Dordogne. It’s loaded over a fairly high sill, but the split
rear seat is easy to fold, cushion and all, in the normal
hatchback fashion. The only downside to the whole
process is that you’re left with a step up from the boot floor
onto the folded cushion, so packing the big stuff is harder
than it could be with a completely flat load space.
Ride quality is typical small hatch, which is to say
slightly bouncy, but you’re soon used to it. The 1.2
engine is quiet enough for normal conversation on the
motorway, while wind and road noise are also pretty
low. Like most small cars, the i10 is easy to drive with
light controls and good visibility to front and sides.
Unlike many, however, the i10 also boasts a good view
to the rear through its helpful low window, so parking is
about as easy as it gets.
The recent popularity of the i10 is easily explained.
Hyundai has a reputation for
reliability and the car itself is
a model of practicality; for a
start it’s got five doors,
which is not a universal
feature in cars as small as
this. And in these times of
economic austerity (well, for
all except the Fred
Goodwins of this world) the
price tag looks like
exceptional value. The
range consists of three
models, all powered by the
1.2 engine, with manual
transmission and the option
of a 4-speed auto (£800) on
the middle ‘Comfort’ model.
However, the usual warning
for small engined autos
applies; that commendable
56.5mpg consumption takes a big hit – 15% in fact –
with the auto gearbox. Standard equipment on all is
generous when you look at the price tag: front and front
side airbags, air con, central locking, electric front
windows, and a radio/CD player with MP3 and Aux-in
connection.
Whether or not the scrappage scheme is something you
can take advantage of, if a small hatch would answer
your motoring needs, the i10 just has to be high on the
list.
Size: 3.57m x 1.60m
Engine: Petrol: 1.2 litres – 77PS
Gearbox: 5-speed manual FWD
Consumption: 56.5mpg
Price at Oct ’09: £7,400 to £8,500
Full details of the i10 available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.hyundai.co.uk
Peter Cracknell
Oct 2009
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